Obviously most fantasy baseball owners have closed up shop for the year (as you cases, even we hear at Rotoprofessor have started looking ahead to 2013). However, that doesn’t mean that every league is over or that everyone is out of contention.
If you are a owner desperate for a few saves down the stretch, here are a few names that should be closing over the final five days and could be available on your waiver wire:
Bobby Parnell – New York Mets
CBS – 10.6%, ESPN – 7.5%
With Frank Francisco still sidelined (at this point it is pretty safe to say that his season is over) and Jon Rauch stumbling, it appears Parnell is going to once again get an opportunity to close games. Once considered the potential closer of the future, Parnell has been pitching lights out of late. He currently as a 2.43 ERA in the second half and always brings the potential to accumulate strikeouts.
Of course, you always have to wonder how many games the Mets will actually win, but at this point that question hangs over just about everyone.
With a 0.82 ERA in September, he is well worth owning if you are in need of 1 or 2 saves.
Drew Storen – Washington Nationals
CBS – 47%, ESPN – 63.8%
If it was earlier in the season Storen’s ownership would probably be closer to 90% at this point. Unlike Parnell, he is a proven commodity in the ninth inning only losing his job because Tyler Clippard excelled while he was on the DL.
However, that is no longer the case. Clippard has struggled while Storen has a 0.00 ERA, 0.47 WHIP and 7 K over 6.1 innings in the past two weeks. While the Nationals could take their foot of the pedal a little bit, knowing that Storen is in top form should be a priority.
With past success, a recent hot streak and a top team behind him, how could you really go wrong?
Wilton Lopez – Houston Astros
CBS – 16%, ESPN – 34.5%
He claimed the Astros closing job almost by default, but he has done a fine job since assuming the role (he actually has pitched well all year). He is a perfect 6-for-6 in September save chance, to go along with a 0.77 ERA.
He even has been striking people out, with 22 K in his past 24.2 innings of work. Sure, the Astros are a bad team, but desperate times call for desperate measures. If one or two saves could make a difference, why not roll the dice?
